Five people were arrested in Papamoa drug raids yesterday that uncovered methamphetamine, cannabis and property stolen in Western Bay burglaries.
Detective Sergeant Pete Blackwell of Tauranga CIB said vehicles and electrical equipment were also seized during the raids from people who police say owed more than $40,000 in outstanding fines.
Mr Blackwell said most of the methamphetamine was recovered from a raid on a Market Place building where three men - aged 22, 23 and 27 - were arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine for supply and possession of cannabis for supply.
They were due to appear in Tauranga District Court today.
Police detectives could be seen removing items from the steel building yesterday morning and speaking to residents in a nearby apartment.
The owner of a nearby business, who spoke on condition they were not identified, told the Bay of Plenty Times the building had been "dodgy from the word go".
He said the occupants had only moved into one half of the building a matter of months ago, and he had seen them installing security cameras around the area.
"There's been vehicles coming and going from it all the time. Sometimes you'll see them moving around late at night, turning the lights on and off."
A total of five addresses were raided. In other arrests, a 48-year-old woman was arrested and charged with possessing methamphetamine and utensils and will appear in Tauranga District Court next week.
The fifth person, a 32-year-old man, now faces two charges of receiving stolen property, theft and possessing utensils for the use of methamphetamine.
Mr Blackwell said police recovered methamphetamine and cannabis from some of the five addresses, along with utensils for the use of methamphetamine.
"These warrants related to information relating to occupants of these addresses being involved in the use and supply of methamphetamine and other drugs," he said.
Police also recovered several stolen laptop computers stolen in burglaries in the Western Bay of Plenty and Auckland, he said.
Justice Department staff who join police in the busy were also successful in dealing with the five people who owed more than $40,000 in outstanding fines, he said.
"The success of this operation is largely due to the valuable information received from the public.
"Police encourage the public to inform them of any information relating to this type of offending and to make contact with their nearest police station."
Police raid Papamoa properties
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